Congenital Cataract
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
With a closer look, the opacities can be seen as smudges of white in the inferior pupil. This is a lamellar cataract. Again, newborns with congenital cataracts should be evaluated for underlying metabolic, genetic, or infectious conditions. Only 20% of patients with cataracts will have an identifiable cause, but when associated conditions occur, prompt recognition and treatment can prevent further complications. The red streak medial to the iris is a subconjunctival hemorrhage, a frequent finding shortly after birth. It is benign and unrelated to the cataract. The eccentric apprearance of the pupil (iris thinner medially, thicker laterally) is caused by asymmetric pupillary response to the dilating drops. It is a transient, benign effect.
. . . . . . 
